The importance of early detection of tuberculosis (TB), regular treatment and nutritious food are just not known widely enough. Often TB victims discontinue the treatment when the symptoms disappear, without waiting for a complete cure; the next attack is more virulent from bacteria which have thus become drug-resistant.

Anti-TB drugs are produced in India. The capability to meet the country's requirements of anti-TB drugs in full already exists. yet millions of Indians suffer from TB and thousands of them die every year.

Voluntary organizations and government agencies are doing commendable work. But we have so far tackled only the fringe of the problem. What is now needed is a nation-wide determination to fight TB. India eradicated smallpox with a national campaign. We can eradicate TB too.

523. Treatment is discontinued by TB victims, when

(a) they think that the disease is completely cured

(b) the apparent signs of TB are no longer visible to them

(c) they run out of resources like money or medicine

(d) they are attacked by drug-resistant bacteria

524. Millions of Indians suffer from from TB, because

(a) people discontinue the treatment too soon or do not start the treatment early enough